• K Geue, R Schmidt, A Sender, and M Friedrich.
• Abteilung für Medizinische Psychologie und Medizinische Soziologie, Universität Leipzig, Philipp-Rosenthal-Str. 55, 04103, Leipzig, Deutschland. kristina.geue@medizin.uni-leipzig.de.
• Schmerz. 2017 Feb 1; 31 (1): 23-30.

BackgroundAfter having completed medical treatment cancer patients often suffer from pain that can impair the quality of life. While young adolescents and adults (AYA) with cancer have become the focus of research during recent years, literature on the prevalence, quality and relief of pain in AYA patients is lacking.ObjectiveThis study investigated psychosocial data on pain experienced by AYA patients (e.g. prevalence, type, distress, anxiety and need for support) and the association with the quality of life.Material And MethodsStandardized and validated questionnaires were used for assessing pain and quality of life in AYA patients defined as the patient group between 18 and 39 years. Calculated regression models were summarized in a pathway model.ResultsOut of 117 AYA patients (66 % women) 45 (39 %) suffered from pain and of these 73 % felt impaired due to the pain, 58 (50 %) had a fear of pain and 21 (20 %) reported a need for support. The severity of pain had a negative influence on physical functioning (β = -0.335) and health-related satisfaction (β = -0.415). Regarding the quality of life, 105 patients (90 %) were overall satisfied with their life. Dissatisfaction was reported in the areas of occupation (39.34 %), ability to relax (36.31 %), physical performance (34.29 %), income (32.27 %) and partnership/sexuality (29.25 %).ConclusionThis study provides evidence that pain plays a relevant role for AYA patients after the end of medical treatment. A substantial proportion of AYA patients reported the need for support so that the question arises whether medical pain management is sufficient, particularly as pain was associated with impairment and strongly negatively associated with health-related satisfaction.

29 keywords...

hide…